• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.335-340
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• 2006

A large number of toxicological substances and pharmacological and physical agents can cause reproductive intervention at the cellular and molecular level. The present study was designed to assess the effect of mercury ($HgCl_2$) at 50 to $550{\mu}M$ concentration ranges, in vitro, on the sperm membrane and DNA integrity, viability, and acrosomal status of normal bull spermatozoa. The samples were processed for sperm analyses using semen-diluting fluid (PBS, pH 7.2). We recorded a sharp increase in the lipid peroxidation/LPO rate; the highest was at $550{\mu}M$ mercury concentration, indicating a deleterious effect of mercury on the sperm membrane intactness. There was also a strong negative correlation between LPO rate and % viable spermatozoa (R = 0.987, p<0.001). Data obtained from a comet assay technique revealed that mercury is capable of inducing DNA breaks in the sperm nuclei. Interestingly, 92% of DNA breaks were double-stranded. The correlation between LPO rate and % DNA breaks was 0.984. Performing the gelatin test indicates that mercury is able to alter the integrity of acrosomal membranes showing an abnormal acrosome reaction. In this regard, a strong link was found between LPO rate and % halos (R = 0.990, p<0.001). Collectively, mercury proved to be a potent oxidant in the category of environmental factors affecting bull spermatozoa. Hence, considering the wide spread use of mercury and its compounds, these metals should be regarded with more concern.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.115-122
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• 2011

The effect of dietary feeding of silk fibroin/sericinmixtureson the antioxidative status and glucose metabolism in high fat-fed mice was investigated. The mice weregiven experimental diets for 6 weeks: normal control (NC),high fat (HF) andhigh fat supplemented with F100 (pure fibroin, HF-F100), F81 (81:19 fibroin-sericin, w/w, HF-F81) or F50 (50:50 fibroin-sericin, w/w, HF-F50). The silk protein-fed mice showed decreased lipid peroxidation, enhancedantioxidant enzymesactivities and lower blood glucose level relative to HF group. The HF-F50 animals exhibited significantly lower insulin level, higher glycogen concentration, enhanced hepatic glucokinaseactivity and reduced glucose-6-phosphate and phosphoenolpyruvatecarboxynaseactivities than the HF ones. The $in$ $vivo$ antioxidant activity and hypoglycemic action tended to increase with increased amount of sericin and decreased fibroin content in the diet. These findings demonstrate that silk protein, particularly sericin, may be beneficial in suppressing high fat diet-induced hyperglycemiaand oxidative stress.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.439-445
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• 2010

Pretreatment with Taraxacum Mongolicum H(TMH) prior to the administration of on $CCl_4$ significantly prevented the increased serum enzymatic activity of aminotransferase(ALT, AST), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase(GGT) and bilirubin concentration in dose-dependent manner. In addition, pretreatment with TMH also significantly restored the elevation of hepatic malondialdehyde formation and the depletion of reduced glutathione content in the liver $CCl_4$-intoxicated rats. The restoration of microsomal aniline hydroxylase and aminopyrine N-demethylase activities indicated the improvement in functional status of endoplasmic reticulum. $CCl_4$-induced hepatotoxicity was also essentially prevented, as indicated by a liver histopathologic study. TMH showed antioxidant effects in $FeCl_2$-ascorbate-induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver homogenate and in superoxide radical scavenging activity. Our results suggest that the protective effect of TMH against $CCl_4$-induced hepatotoxicity possibly involve mechanisms related to its ability to block p450-mediated $CCl_4$ bioactivation and free radical scavenging effects.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.551-558
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• 2011

The aim of this study was to know whether leaf nitrate can be a substitute of total leaf N to justify plant N status and how nitrate influences macro elements uptake and physiological parameters of tomato plants under different nitrogen levels. Leaf nitrate content decreased in low N, while showed similar value with the control in high N, ranging from 55 to $70mg\;g^{-1}$. Differences in nitrate supply led to nitrate-dependent increases in macro elements, particularly cations, while gradual decrease in P. Physiological parameters, photosynthesis rates and antioxidants, greatly responded in N deficient conditions rather than high N, which didn't show any significant differences compared the control. Considering nitrogen forms and physiological parameters, total-N in tomato plants represented positive relation with growth (shoot dry weight), nitrate and $CO_2$ assimilation, whereas negative relation with lipid peroxidation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.219-226
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• 2010

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a Scutellaria baicalensis water extract (SDWE) on lipid levels, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities on rats fed a high fat diet for 6 weeks. Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats (4-weeks-old) were randomly divided into four groups: normal diet and deionized water (ND), normal diet and Scutellaria baicalensis water extract (NDS), high fat diet and deionized water (HFD), high fat diet and Scutellaria baicalensis water extract (HFDS). The food intakes were significantly lower, but the food efficiency ratios were significantly higher in the high fat diet groups than those in other groups. The level of HDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio in plasma were significantly higher and AI (atherogenic index) in HFDS group was significantly lower than that in HFD group. The level of triglyceride in plasma was significantly decreased in SDWE groups. The triglyceride of liver was significantly increased in the high fat diet groups and the total cholesterol of liver in the HFDS group was significantly lower than that in the HFD group. The plasma and liver concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the NDS group were significantly lower than those in the ND group. The total antioxidant status (TAS) in plasma was significantly increased in the HFDS group compared to the HFD group. The activities of SOD, catalase and GST were significantly increased in SDWE groups compared to ionized water groups. The activity of GSH-Px and the concentration of GSH in liver in the HFDS group were significantly higher than those in the HFD group. These results suggest that a supplement of SDWE on rats fed high fat diet reduce levels of lipid and lipid peroxidation in plasma and liver and improve the antioxidant defense systems.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.278-286
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• 2003

Alcohol is well known agent which can damage the human tissues such as liver via stimulating lipid peroxidation. On the other hand, carotenoids in addition to vitamins A, C and I play important roles in protecting these oxidative damages as well as preventing the production of free radicals. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of dietary vitamin A on lipid peroxidation and antioxidants status in ethanol-treated rats. In the experiment, male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 160~180 g were given a liquid diet containing 36% of total calories as ethanol for 7 weeks. The pair-fed control rats received an isocaloric amount of diet containing sucrose instead of ethanol on the following day Additionally, the liquid diet contained adequate amount of $\beta$-carotene, retinyl acetate or 13-sis-reinoic acid except vitamin A-deficient diet. The results obtained are as follows. The levels of plasma and hepatic lipid peroxide were increased after chronic ethanol feeding in rats. Retinyl acetate supplementation significantly reduced lipid peroxidation induced by ethanol feeding Glucose 6-phosphatase activity was significantly reduced in rats fed vitamin A-deficient diet with ethanol and alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly induced in rats fed 13-cis-reinoic acid diet with ethanol. Catalase and alcohol dehydrogenase activities did not show a consistent tendency in experiment groups. The hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities did not significantly changed by chronic ethanol feeding groups. The striking decrease in conversion of $\beta$-carotene to retinol was observed in rats fed a $\beta$-carotene diet with ethanol feeding The level of retinol and retinoic acid in plasma and liver was decreased after chronic ethanol administration Based on this result, these data suggest that ethanol feeding enhances oxidative stress especially in those fed a vitamin A-deficient diet, and vitamin A supplementation, especially, retinyl acetate intake can prevent enhanced lipid peroxidation and related damage to some extent.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.271-284
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• 2001

This study was performed to investigate the effects of dried powders and water extracts of Paecilomyces tenuipes(P. tenuipes) and Cordyceps militaris(C. militaris) on lipid metabolism, lipid peroxidation and antioxidative capacity and immune status in rats. Thirty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats weighting 195$\pm$21g were grouped into five according to body weight. Ratw were raised for four weeks with diet containing either 4%, 2%(w/w) of dried P. tenuipes powders(TP-4, TP-2) or water extracts from equal amounts of each 4% P. tenuipes and C. militaris powder(TE-4, ME-4). Food intake, weight gain of all groups were not significantly different from those of control group. Lipid metabolism in general was not significantly different among all the groups. However both dried P. tenuipes powder lowered plasma cholesterol level slightly, water extract groups showed tendency of higher plasma HDL-cholesterol and lower liver cholesterol levels than control. Plasma and liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substance(TBARS) concentrations of all the experimental groups were lower than control group. Red blood cell(RBC) and liver superoxide dismutase(SOD) activities were not generally different among all groups. Liver xanthine oxidase(XOD) activities of all groups were tended to be lower than control group. Proliferation of aplenocytes induced by mitogens, concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide, were increased in TP-2 group. The TP-4 group showed increased CD8 T cells and MHC class II expression without changes in CD4 T cells, B cells and G/M ratio, suggesting activated cytotoxic T cell activity in vivo. Increase of G/M ratio but not of MHC class II in TP-2 group indicated the possible acute inflammatory reaction by the ingested substances in gastrointestinal tract. ME-4 group showed enhanced cellular immunity without vigorous changes of immune parameters in brief periods. In conclusion, both P. tenuipes and C. militaris stimulated antioxidant capacity and immune status in rats. Among groups, water extract of C. militaris was most effective in both capacities, though dried powder of P. tenuipes at 2% dietary level was more effective in antioxidant activity, as various results by different strains were observed.(Korean J Nutrition 34(3) : 271~284, 2001)

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2007

A total of twenty, 2-wk-old male broiler chickens were allotted into control diet(CON) or a diet supplemented with 1% ground grape seed(GGS). They had free access to feed and water for 3 wk. Growth performance and antioxidant markers in plasma, intestine and liver were determined. Dietary addition of 1% GGS did not affect weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion and organ weight in 35 day-old broiler chickens significantly. There was no difference in plasma levels of glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, AST, ALT and LDH activity. However, total antioxidant status(TAS) in blood increased(P<0.05) in chickens fed the diet supplemented with 1% GGS compared to those fed the control diet. In addition, the specific activity of intestinal superoxide dismutase(SOD) increased(P<0.05) in birds fed the diet supplemented with GGS. However, the activities of intestinal gluthathione peroxidase(GSHPx) and gluthathione -S- transferase(GST) and hepatic SOD, GSHPx and GST were not affected by the dietary GGS. The levels of reduced glutathione and lipid peroxidation in the small intestine and liver were not different between the two groups. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of 1% GGS did not result in a negative effect on growth performance. In addition, some antioxidant indicators including blood TAS and intestinal SOD were markedly elevated in response to dietary GGS. Therefore, dietary addition of 1% GGS may be beneficial to improve antioxidant capacity in broiler chicken.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.154-163
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• 2008

The methanol extract of stem barks of Careya arborea Roxb. (MECA) (Family- Myrtaceae) was evaluated for antitumor activity and antioxidant status against Ehrlich's Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) bearing Swiss albino mice. After 24 h of tumor inoculation the MECA was administered at the doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight/mice/day for 14 days. After the last dose and 18 h fasting mice were sacrificed. The effect of MECA on the growth of transplantable murine tumor, life span of EAC bearing hosts, hematological profiles, serum and liver biochemical parameters were estimated. The MECA showed significant (P < 0.01) decrease in ascites volume, packed cell volume and viable cell count and prolonged the life span of EAC tumor bearing mice. Hematological profiles reverted to more or less normal levels in extract treated mice. The MECA also produced protective effect by decreasing the activity of serum enzymes, bilirubin and increase the protein and uric acid levels. MECA significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the levels of lipid peroxidation, while significantly (P < 0.05) increased the levels of glutathione content, vitamin C, vitamin E, superoxide dismutase and catalase CAT. The results indicate that MECA exhibited significant antitumor and antioxidant activity in EAC bearing mice.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.958-965
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• 2015

Lycopene, a red non-provitamin A carotenoid, mainly presenting in tomato and tomato byproducts, has the highest antioxidant activity among carotenoids because of its high number of conjugated double bonds. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of lycopene supplementation in the diet on plasma lipid profile, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense system in feedlot lamb. Twenty-eight Bamei male lambs (90 days old) were divided into four groups and fed a basal diet (LP0, 40:60 roughage: concentrate) or the basal diet supplemented with 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg lycopene. After 120 days of feeding, all lambs were slaughtered and sampled. Dietary lycopene supplementation significantly reduced the levels of plasma total cholesterol (p<0.05, linearly), total triglycerides (TG, p<0.05) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, p<0.05), as well as atherogenic index (p<0.001), whereas no change was observed in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p>0.05). The levels of TG (p<0.001) and LDL-C (p<0.001) were decreased with the feeding time extension, and both showed a linear trend (p<0.01). Malondialdehyde level in plasma and liver decreased linearly with the increase of lycopene inclusion levels (p<0.01). Dietary lycopene intake linearly increased the plasma antioxidant vitamin E level (p<0.001), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC, p<0.05), and activities of catalase (CAT, p<0.01), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px, p<0.05) and superoxide dismutase (SOD, p<0.05). The plasma T-AOC and activities of GSH-Px and SOD decreased with the extension of the feeding time. In liver, dietary lycopene inclusion showed similar antioxidant effects with respect to activities of CAT (p<0.05, linearly) and SOD (p<0.001, linearly). Therefore, it was concluded that lycopene supplementation improved the antioxidant status of the lamb and optimized the plasma lipid profile, the dosage of 200 mg lycopene/kg feed might be desirable for growing lambs to prevent environment stress and maintain normal physiological metabolism.